Strategic Elements Ltd. reported on Battery Ink cells that generate electricity directly from their interaction with moisture. The technology is developed
by Australian Advanced Materials (100%) and the University of New South Wales. In a significant achievement prototype Battery Ink cells were screen printed onto flexible plastic and successfully generated over 250mAh (milliamp hours) of electrical charge solely from moisture. In addition, over 5mA (milliamps) of electrical current was achieved under load over a 3-day testing period. The outstanding results detail a 150% increase in electrical charge compared to previous reporting September 29th, 2021. It is envisaged that one of the first electronic devices to be powered by the Battery Ink cells will be electronic skin patches that monitor health, well-being, sports performance, etc. Printed/flexible electronics are extremely well suited to wearable skin patches due to their low weight, flexibility/conformality, and potential for high-throughput, low-cost manufacturing of these disposable items. These devices have lower power requirements but still have a very large existing market that is growing rapidly. Most electrical current needs are lower (0.5mA - 5mA) less capacity is needed (< 220mAh) and duration needs are shorter (7-14 days) than for other electronic devices. Notwithstanding this, electronic skin patch annual revenues in 2021 were over USD 10 billion with USD 30 billion forecast by 2031. In solar cells or batteries two electrodes (top and bottom) are needed to collect current (mobile ions). Which then will move from an area of high concentration of ions to low concentration of ions, creating electron current flow (i.e. electricity). These electrodes are connected to loads such as sensors or other electronic components that need power. An important aspect of the latest prototype is that the electrodes used in the Battery Ink cell structure were also screen printed. An electrode ink was optimised at UNSW for use with prototype Battery Ink cells and screen-printed directly on top of screen-printed Battery Ink cells for the first time. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) experiments show potential for significant electrical power output. Expanded investigation of attributes such as adhesion properties, screen printability and permeability will be conducted. Screen printing is the optimum method to produce printable electronics due to greater precision and ability to create more sophisticated devices. Equipment at UNSW has the capacity to screen print features as small as 100 micrometres and as large as a 1m x 3m. Electronic skin patches remain the immediate focus for first quarter, 2022 although investigation into other uses of the Battery Ink technology have commenced.